PSYCHOSOCIAL/ BEHAVIORAL

RESPONSE TO

RADIOLOGICAL & NUCLEAR DISASTERS

Carol S. North, MDRichard V. King, PhD

COURSE OVERVIEW● Introduction to PsychoSocial/Behavioral (PSB) response to

Radiological/Nuclear (RAD/NUC) disasters

● Framework for PSB response to RAD/NUC disasters

● Techniques and procedures for PSB response

● Community resilience building and planning for RAD/NUC disaster response

● Application of the techniques in the framework and practice with a scenario

● Discussion and wrap-up

OBJECTIVES

● Describe the PsychoSocial/Behavioral (PSB) response considerations that are characteristic of radiological/nuclear (RAD/NUC) disasters

● Explain the key elements in a framework for planning a PSB response, based on problems, tasks, and strategies including techniques and procedures

● Given a scenario, apply the framework by identifying the appropriate elements for effective PSB response to the situation described

This publication was produced under the direction of the Southwest Center for Advanced Public Health Practice (Center) at Tarrant County Public Health, and was supported by Award Number 1H75TP000309-01 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). Its contents are solely the responsibility of Center and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC or NACCHO.

The Southwest Center for Advanced Public Health Practice at Tarrant County Public Health wishes to thank the following organizations and staff for their invaluable support, review and contributions to the development of this training guidance tool:

COURSE AUTHORSFrom the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Departments of Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and Health Care Sciences; VA North Texas Health Care System; National Disaster Life Support National Training Center West.

Carol North, MD, MPE, The Nancy and Ray L. Hunt Chair in Crisis Psychiatry and Director-Program in Trauma and Disaster Psychiatry, Dallas VAMC; Professor of Psychiatry and Surgery/Emergency Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center

Richard King, PhD, Associate Professor, Surgery/Emergency Medicine (EMS, Disaster Medicine, and Homeland Security) and Health Care Sciences Education and Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT REVIEW COMMITTEE

Steven Becker, PhD, Vice Chair, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Director, Disaster & Emergency Communication Research Unit, University of Alabama-Birmingham

Bob Levin, MD, Director, Ventura County Public Health, CA

James Ellor, PhD, DMin, LCSW, DCSW, Professor and Director, Institute for Gerontological Studies, Baylor University School of Social Work; Baylor University, Waco, TX

Carol McCurley, Lead Health Education Specialist, Radiation Studies Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

Robin Gurwitch, PhD, Professor, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Program Coordinator, National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement; Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH

Robert Whitcomb, PhD, CHP, Lead Physical Scientist, Radiation Studies Branch, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

PROGRAM PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Richard LaChance, LEMT-P, BA, Faculty Associate, Department of Surgery/Emergency Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Leeanna Allen, MPH, CHES Health Education Specialist, Radiation Studies Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA